MADGASCAR EAST
If you are looking to see many different lemur species including the largest lemur in the world, eastern Madagascar is the place to go, particularly to Andasibe-Mantadia National Park, which is only three hours drive from Antananarivo. This park provides arguably the best opportunity in Madagascar to see an indri. Their haunting calls are regularly heard throughout the forest and it is a delight to see them swinging through the trees with their long, gangly limbs. Andasibe-Mantadia is made up of two separate parks located 20km apart. The Indri can be found in the Andasibe part of the park, which is really called Anamalazoatra. As well as the Indri you can also find the Brown, Lesser bamboo and Red-billed lemurs plus three nocturnal species: Rufous mouse, Greater dwarf, and Eastern woolly lemurs. Anamalazoatra has a well established network of trails that makes it easy to walk through.
The second park is called Mantadia, which is harder to walk through due to the hillier terrain and less established trails. It does not have any Indri due to the dense foliage, but it does have two other species of lemur not found in Anamalazoatra; the Black-and-white Ruffed lemur and the Diademed sifaka. The area also claims to be home to the greatest number of frog species in the world, most of which are nocturnal. There is a good chance of seeing chameleons too, including the big Parson’s chameleon and the tiny Nose-horned chameleon, best sighted at the end of the rainy season in October/November.
Near to Andasibe is Anjozorobe, where the lemurs are harder to spot but which is also home to the Giant indri. Anjozorobe has a lot fewer visitors than Andisabe-Mantadia, as well as its own great collection of frogs and chameleons, which you won’t find anywhere else in the world. It is a great reserve to combine with Andasibe-Mantadia, if you would like to extend a trip to the east.
For budding wildlife photographers, the place to go is the Palmarium, where the lemurs are well habituated to humans and thus provide excellent photographic opportunities. It is also the best place to go to see the strange looking nocturnal aye ayes, which live off a small island just offshore.
The second park is called Mantadia, which is harder to walk through due to the hillier terrain and less established trails. It does not have any Indri due to the dense foliage, but it does have two other species of lemur not found in Anamalazoatra; the Black-and-white Ruffed lemur and the Diademed sifaka. The area also claims to be home to the greatest number of frog species in the world, most of which are nocturnal. There is a good chance of seeing chameleons too, including the big Parson’s chameleon and the tiny Nose-horned chameleon, best sighted at the end of the rainy season in October/November.
Near to Andasibe is Anjozorobe, where the lemurs are harder to spot but which is also home to the Giant indri. Anjozorobe has a lot fewer visitors than Andisabe-Mantadia, as well as its own great collection of frogs and chameleons, which you won’t find anywhere else in the world. It is a great reserve to combine with Andasibe-Mantadia, if you would like to extend a trip to the east.
For budding wildlife photographers, the place to go is the Palmarium, where the lemurs are well habituated to humans and thus provide excellent photographic opportunities. It is also the best place to go to see the strange looking nocturnal aye ayes, which live off a small island just offshore.
where to stay...
From our visit to Madagascar's parks in the east, we have first-hand knowledge of the accommodation and below you can find the ones we most commonly use. Those include mainly our favourites sorted from low-key to deluxe, which are usually smaller properties with very personalised service, but also some bigger places, if they are the best or only option available. Open, close, then open each tab again to display the images fully.
andasibe-mantadiaGrace Lodge
Eulophiella Lodge
Sahatandra River Hotel
Vakona Forest Lodge
Andasibe Hotel
Mantadia Lodge
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anjozorobeSaha Forest Camp
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palmariumLe Palmarium Hotel
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itineraries
Below you can find some sample itineraries with images of the different lodges in them for short trips to the Madagascar's East,
but this list is by no means exhaustive. For bespoke itineraries, please contact us directly to discuss your project.
but this list is by no means exhaustive. For bespoke itineraries, please contact us directly to discuss your project.
4-day Andasibe-Mantadia with Vakona Forest Lodge
includes services of a driver/guide from EUR 675 per person sharing interactive itinerary here |
5-day Andasibe-Mantadia with Eulophiella Lodge
includes services of a driver/guide from EUR 680 per person sharing interactive itinerary here |
5-day Andasibe-Mantadia Off the beaten Track Private Tour
includes services of a driver/guide
from EUR 680 per person sharing
interactive itinerary here
includes services of a driver/guide
from EUR 680 per person sharing
interactive itinerary here
